Area baseball: Wildcats, Knights split doubleheader

GOODHUE - The Wildcats won their first game of the season in Thursday's opener, 4-2, but the second game showcased one of the reasons why they started the season with 14 straight losses. Goodhue loaded the bases in both the fifth and sixth innings but didn't score either time and lost to Kenyon-Wanamingo 6-2.

"It was definitely a step forward," Goodhue coach Bob Bitzan said. "But we still haven't had that breakout game at the plate."

DJ Buck picked up the win in the first game. He struck out six, walked four and allowed five hits in seven innings.

Goodhue led 2-1 after one inning and it remained that way until the bottom of the sixth inning when both sophomore Brian Strauss and senior Ethan Tutewohl drove in a run. Tutewohl finished 2-for-3 with a double.

"It was a pretty big weight lifted off our shoulders," Bitzan said. "We just needed to get that first win."

Andrew Johnson prevented the Wildcats from making it two in a row. Despite walking more batters - four - than he struck out - three - the junior allowed just two hits in a complete-game win.

Johnson helped himself by going 2-for-4. Junior Jarid Groth and senior Ryan Overby also had two hits.

Goodhue (1-15 overall, 1-13 Hiawatha Valley League) will play two games today at the Stewartville tournament. The Knights travel today to Blooming Prairie.

Tags: sports, baseball, goodhue, kenyon, wanamingo